Every baby deserves to have a fresh, clean diaper as soon as they need one. CAC’s diaper bank is a collaborative, cross-organizational effort to help young families across Rice County get the essential supplies they need. We distributed more than 500,000 diapers to the community annually and are working together to meet the enormous need for this important resource.
diapers distributed annually
Participants can currently access one package of free diapers per household as often as every other week through any of CAC’s three food access locations.
There is no documentation or proof of income required; simply register for the food shelf to be eligible.
Although we make every effort to maintain a consistent supply of baby wipes and all diaper sizes Newborn-6, we can’t guarantee that any one size will be in stock at any given time.
Parents in need may also be eligible to access diapers by working with our partner agencies:
Diaper need is a real and pressing issue for many families in Minnesota, where as many as 1 in 3 children don’t have consistent access to clean diapers. It costs about $1,000 per year to keep one child in diapers, and parents in our community are faced with daily choices between purchasing diapers and providing other essential needs for their children.
Diaper access is a health concern for babies and is critical to the dignity and success of new parents. CAC first ramped up its diaper distribution to meet this need with the support of a WINGS grant in 2021, became a member of the National Diaper Bank Network in 2023, and began receiving supplies from the Diaper Bank of Minnesota in 2024. Now, CAC is proud to act as a supply and distribution hub to other Rice County agencies serving families in need, including Growing Up Healthy, Rice County, HOPE Center, and Three Rivers Community Action.
Bottoms Up was created to expand awareness, engagement, and support for Community Action Center’s Diaper Bank.
Led by Community Action Center and presented in partnership with the Rotary Club of Northfield and Northfield Hospital + Clinics, Bottoms Up brings together businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe that no family should have to choose between diapers and other basic necessities.
While diapers are essential to a baby’s health and development, they are not covered by SNAP or WIC benefits. As a result, many families struggle to afford an adequate supply, creating barriers to childcare, employment, and family stability.
Through Community Action Center’s Diaper Bank, more than 800 families each month receive access to diapers and other essential supplies. CAC distributes more than 500,000 diapers annually throughout Rice County and the surrounding area.
Today, Bottoms Up is helping grow that impact through community awareness and fundraising efforts, including our goal of raising $50,000 to purchase a semi-load of 350,000 diapers for local families.
Together, we can help ensure every baby is clean, healthy, and thriving.
Financial contributions from the community also provide essential support for the sustainability of this effort, and the diaper bank welcomes donations of diapers and baby wipes in any size or quantity at CAC’s Northfield and Faribault offices (including open packages).
If you’d like to host your own diaper drive or otherwise support the diaper bank’s distribution efforts, please contact us at gro.retnecnoitcaytinummoc@srepaid.
CAC’s vitality depends on the community — from volunteers to donations to program-specific support — so that we can continue to meet our neighbors’ basic needs.